Intercomparisons of GOES-derived cloud parameters and surface observations over San Nicolas Island

The spatial sampling limitations of surface measurement systems necessitate the use of satellite data for the investigation of large-scale cloud processes. Understanding the information contained in the satellite-observed radiances, however, requires a connection between the remotely sensed cloud properties and those more directly observed within the troposphere. Surface measurements taken during the First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Marine Stratocumulus Intensive Field Observations (IFO) are compared here to cloud properties determined from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) data in order to determine how well the island measurements represent larger areas and to verify some of the satellite-measured parameters.